Alkass Digital
Neil Robertson says he is planning to take a break from the game to go back home to Australia.
The 41-year-old revealed his plans in a social media post following his 5-3 second-round defeat by England's Liam Highfield at the Wuhan Open in China.
Robertson led 3-1 but lost four frames in a row as he made another early exit from a tournament.
"Everything is fine, just missing Australia a bit," said Robertson on X, which was formerly known as Twitter.
"[I] have a big trip planned towards the end of the year where I'll miss the last few events. I should have gone last year after my best-ever season, and mentally paid the price.
"Nobody will know how hard it is being from the other side of the world. (I don't expect them to.)
"In the blink of an eye, your brothers, who were your best friends, are suddenly 20 years older as well as other family members. It will be four years since I've seen them and can't wait to go home, it must be said."
The 2010 world champion added: "Like I say, everything is going great with practice and preparation and very much like the result today, over the past 12 months most of my opponents have played the match of their season/career.
"Big results are incoming but patience is the key."
Also on Tuesday, Mark Selby was beaten 5-4 by Xu Si at the Wuhan Open, while home favourite Ding Junhui lost 5-0 to compatriot Yuan Sijun.
Ronnie O'Sullivan secured a comfortable 5-1 win against Mark Davis but John Higgins was on the end of a 5-1 defeat by Martin O'Donnell.